Tips, Tools & Information for a Healthier YOU!

Fortunately the county where I live made recycling much easier a number of years ago when Waste Management changed its guidelines to where we didn’t have to sort out recyclables into different bins, plus expanded the list of what we could put in…..anything from “1s” to “7s,” which really made a big difference. Plus, we have GreenWorks here, a wonderful agency that has brought a number of services and businesses together that host quarterly drop-offs for hard to recycle things that can’t be put in the regular bins.

Anyway, this is a good article from The Alternative Daily to feature right now, especially since we are heading into a time of year when holiday gift-giving and social gatherings are likely to be generating extra amounts of trash. I learned several things that I wasn’t already aware of, like shredded paper not being good (I always thought the opposite was true!), so please read and share, and let’s all make sure our stockings are stuffed, but not our landfills.🙂 Here’s to a “less trashy,” more environmentally-friendly holiday season!

(image from whyfiles.org)

Never Recycle These 11 Things

(by Ian Carey) Many people would be shocked to learn that sometimes their entire load of curbside recycling is thrown straight into a landfill.

While recycling programs vary in different areas, most curbside programs follow a similar system; the recycling is picked up and taken to a sorting facility where materials are separated, then those materials are sold to various companies that make products out of recycled materials.

When people place non-recyclable items into their recycling bins, it keeps this system from being as efficient as it can be. Non-recyclable items can contaminate other recyclables, slow down the process and even damage machines. In order to keep the system running efficiently, sorting facilities may deem entire bins of recycling as trash if there are non-recyclables in with them.This means that all of the plastic, glass and paper you assumed was going to be used to make recycled products is really just sitting in a landfill, releasing toxic chemicals into the ecosystem and finding its way into the digestive systems of birds and other wildlife.

In order to make it easier to avoid this, we’ve put together a list of 11 items you should never recycle.

1. Paper towels and tissues

While these products are made of paper and technically recyclable, they are too small to be sorted at recycling facilities. Paper towels and tissues are also often covered in grease, food or things that you coughed into them. Since that can contaminate other recyclables, your whole bin could get sent a landfill instead.

2. Plastic bags

Plastic bags are technically recyclable, but it’s unlikely they are accepted through your curbside recycling program. You know how you always see plastic bags stuck in trees? There is something about how a plastic bag is shaped that makes it easy for them to get stuck places, and they wreak havoc on machinery at sorting stations.

Sorting stations will also not open plastic bags that have recyclable materials inside. So every time you’ve wrapped up recyclable items and put them into a recycling bin, you’ve actually just tossed them into a landfill. Remember: these bags are recyclable, they just require a different system. A list of plastic bag drop-off locations can be found here.

3. Shredded paper

Like paper towels and tissues, this type of paper is too small to be handled at sorting stations. When the paper is shredded it lowers the grade and quality, meaning many facilities won’t accept it. The best way to avoid shredded paper going into a landfill is to simply not to shred it. Nowadays shredding documents doesn’t serve much of a purpose anyway; whatever shady bookkeeping or money-laundering scheme you have going on is probably discoverable online, so might as well keep the documents intact. Kidding, but please don’t shred paper.

4. Pizza boxes (sometimes)

Sometimes pizza boxes are fine to put in the recycling bin, but other times they can contaminate other recyclables and send everything to a landfill. If there is food still stuck to any part of the pizza box it could be labeled as trash at the sorting facility. Be sure to suck all that processed cheese and grease off the cardboard before throwing it into the bin.

5. Styrofoam

Styrofoam is actually a Greek word that means “terrible idea.” Okay, that’s not true, but it might as well be. Experts believe Styrofoam could take a million years to decompose (if it ever does at all). Very rarely is it accepted through curbside programs, but a list of drop-off locations can be found here.

6. Clothing hangers

Most recycling programs do not accept clothing hangers, but you know who does? Dry cleaners! Hangers are like an oddly shaped type of currency to them. Estimates are that only 15 percent of clothing hangers are ever recycled, leading to more unnecessary plastic and metal ending up in landfills.

7. Food containers

Your food container is most likely recyclable, depending on the material, but only if there is no food in it. The containers do not need to be sparkling clean when you throw them in the bin, but all of the food does need to be removed, including those globs of almond butter that never want to leave the side of the jar.

8. Different types of glass

Not all glass is equal and different types require different processing. Glass that is used to make windows, drinking glasses and mirrors is treated with chemicals that change their melting temperature. This kind of glass can cause damage to machines at recycling facilities, and unfortunately, very few options exist for recycling them. A good option would be to try and reuse them as best as possible. Broken glass is not accepted at recycling facilities as it could injure workers.

9. Energy efficient light bulbs

The energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, so special care needs to be taken to ensure that they do not end up in a landfill. Mercury can pose a health hazard to people and wildlife. The growing amount of CFL bulbs finding their way into landfills is alarming many people; seven states have now made it illegal to discard these bulbs into a landfill.

The safest way to ensure your old CFLs don’t end up in a landfill is to bring them to any major home improvement store, such as Lowe’s or Home Depot, as they often have CFL recycling programs.

Kid’s plastic toys often contain so many different materials that separating and recycling them is often impossible. Luckily, in most cases, there’s no need to recycle these toys as they can be reused for multiple generations, provided future generations are still super into the Ninja Turtles. The Salvation Army and Goodwill accept toy donations and normally toy stores will have a donation bin located on site, as well.

11. Coffee cups

Many of you are going to be shocked to learn that in most cases your disposable coffee cup is not recyclable. Most coffee cups contain a layer of wax that prevents the cup from getting soggy but this makes it very difficult for the paper to be extracted from the wax. Starbucks is currently going through trials of using 100 percent recyclable coffee cups.

Recycle rules in your area may be different. Make sure you’re up to date on what the guidelines are for where you live and make this a low trash/no trash holiday season.

And fyi, an upcoming free event that starts Nov 30th and runs through Dec 4th…..

The upcoming 2016 Personal Health Summit features an incredible line up of speakers that will ensure that the event is intriguing, enlightening and entertaining – all in one!

The summit is all about making your health and wellness personal. The most important thing for humanity moving forward is to address our health and wellness as an individualized journey, rather than undertaking generic protocols and advice that work for some people, some of the time. The way that the health of humanity will change is when it becomes personalized.

Matt Riemann, the host of the summit, is a well-renowned scientist, entrepreneur and educator, who is on a mission to evoke personalized health as the norm throughout the world. From education to tools and practices, right down to making health super simple to accomplish, Matt’s mission is to revolutionize the way we think about our health in the future.

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Watch Matt’s TED talk to learn more about how the choices you make every day affect who you are – right down to your genes!

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow so you don’t miss out on future posts. Also check out the To Your Health page at my website Evolution Made Easierand my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please not that any information provided here is as a guideline only, and not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

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There are numerous studies that show that gratitude and thanks giving are good for the mind, body and spirit. So if you want to be healthier and happier, make EVERY day Thanksgiving!

By Dr. Mercola

Each year on the fourth Thursday of November, Americans gather together with friends and family for a Thanksgiving feast — a ritual that many psychologists believe actually fosters greater happiness and health.

And, while the ritual of giving thanks once a year is beneficial, doing it more often could be life changing. At least that’s what science suggests.

The Benefits of Ritual Get-Togethers at Mealtime

As noted by Barbara Fiese, a psychologist and author of “Family Routines and Rituals”:

“Through direct observation of family mealtimes at home, we’ve found that how families communicate with one another during meals is related to the children’s health.

For example, when families show genuine concern about their child’s daily activities … teachers report these children are less likely to show acting-out behaviors in school.

What’s more, these interactions make children with chronic health conditions such as asthma feel more secure, and they’re more likely to report that they feel better throughout the day.”

[But] barriers to good interaction — such as cellphone use, people getting up from the table and arguments — were even more strongly related (in a negative direction) to children’s psychological well-being and academic performance.

The implication is that we have to pay attention to doing some things well during meals — such as staying at the table and laughing together — but also avoid negative interactions.”

Gratitude Increases Happiness — and Health

As suggested in the video above, research shows that gratitude is a cornerstone of happiness. Moreover, actually expressing your gratitude publicly or openly yields greater results than keeping it to yourself.

If you typically cringe when it’s time to go around the table and share what you’re grateful for, remembering the benefits you reap may ease your discomfort. As noted in a previous CNN report on gratitude and Thanksgiving:2

“… there are some very practical reasons to get into the spirit of things, by taking a minute to remember the reasons you’re blessed. These are lessons that can be applied year-round.”

According to studies, the benefits of gratitude rituals — be it giving thanks at mealtime, keeping a gratitude journal, or sending thank-you notes — include:3,4,5

Improved sleep, especially if your mind has a tendency to go into overdrive with negative thoughts and worries at bedtime

Higher work performance (in one study, managers who expressed gratitude saw a 50 percent increase in the employees’ performance)

Studies have also shown that gratitude can produce a number of measurable effects on a number of systems in your body, all of which can translate into improved health. Biological systems beneficially affected by gratitude include:6

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts. Also check out my website Evolution Made Easier (and its To Your Health page) and my blog of the same name for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

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Fortunately there is a wide variety of recipes available on the internet for healthier versions of pumpkin pie these days. Here’s one I recently came across from Wellness Mama that is free of dairy and grain (if that’s a must or a plus for you); it also contains no refined sugar. I haven’t tried it yet, but plan to once I have all the ingredients. And if you’re in charge of the dessert this Thanksgiving, you may want to give it a try, too!

Family Favorite Pumpkin Pie Recipe (Dairy & Gluten-Free)

What would Thanksgiving (or Fall!) be without something pumpkin. Whether it is Spiced Pumpkin Lattes or pumpkin pie, the taste and scent of pumpkin is a perfect companion to cool fall weather.

I was never actually a big pumpkin pie fan in the past. In the past couple of years, I’ve fallen in love with coconut and pumpkin… and this recipe is a good combination of both. It is grain free and can be made completely dairy free as well.

A Better Pumpkin Pie:

If your family considers pumpkin pie a part of the Thanksgiving feast, consider this healthier option this year! It has all the same flavors of traditional pumpkin pie, but can accommodate those who are gluten-free and dairy-free. This recipe also uses natural sweeteners in place of the sugar or corn syrup used in many pumpkin pies.

Press crust into bottom and sides of pie pan and put in the oven while making the filling.

In the same bowl (no need for extra dishes!) combine the filling ingredients (except coconut milk) and mix using an immersion blender. If you don’t have one of these, use a regular blender or food processor. A hand-mixer will not get it as smooth! It should be smooth and spreadable, but not really pourable. Add coconut milk if needed to thin slightly.

After 10-15 minutes, remove the crust as it barely starts to brown.

Pour/smooth the filling over the crust and return to oven for about an hour or until center is no longer jiggly. Will set more as it cooks.

Top with *coconut cream or whipped heavy cream and some chopped pecans.

*If you are avoiding dairy, you could whip the coconut cream with a little vanilla, cinnamon and some kind of natural sweetener, or for an added yum factor, top with ice cream made by combining frozen banana chunks, chilled full-fat coconut milk, vanilla and sweetener in a blender.🙂

Update 11/21/16: Not sure how long this will be available…., may just be for today, but I just got a message from the folks at Paleo Secrets that they are offering a free download of their Thanksgiving Cookbook (apparently the Kindle version usually sells for $5.99):

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts. Also check out my website Evolution Made Easier (and its To Your Health page) and my blog of the same name for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

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Most of this is not news to me and all of it is depressing and alarming, but some of it is extra scary and surprising, like the amount of glyphosate found in Whole Foods 365 brand of ORGANIC Golden Round Crackers and Back to Nature’s Crispy Cheddar Crackers, and the fact that some organic honey is contaminated, as well.

Please read and then spread the word. Awareness is the first step toward change. Also, money is about the only thing some of these companies understand or care about, so no longer buying certain foods/brands will probably speak louder than words…..

Monsanto Is Scrambling To Bury This Breaking Story – Don’t Let This Go Unshared!

I am frankly shocked this information is not making front page news right now. Monsanto will do anything to bury this story… and as of right now, it’s working. Not a single mainstream media outlet has covered this appalling new report that shows millions of people being poisoned by a chemical that does not belong in our food. This chemical is ending up in processed foods like Cheerios, Ritz Crackers, and Oreos and being consumed by humans across the world. The health of millions of people is on the line and this news must go mainstream! That’s why I’m calling on every single one of you who reads this post to share this breaking story now. The only way this injustice will be corrected is if enough of us stand up and demand that something be done to stop the poisoning of our food supply.

Share this shocking new report with everyone you know….

A FDA-registered food safety laboratory tested iconic American food for residues of the weed killer glyphosate (aka Monsanto’s Roundup) and found ALARMING amounts.

Just to give you an idea of how outrageous these amounts are, independent research shows that probable harm to human health begins at really low levels of exposure – at only 0.1 ppb of glyphosate. Many foods were found to have over 1,000 times this amount! Well above what regulators throughout the world consider “safe”.

Here is why we all should be concerned about eating glyphosate:

Independent research links glyphosate to cancer (sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and it has been deemed a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organization’s team of international cancer experts. The childhood cancer rate is steadily rising and experts say that they don’t know why. Why are they not taking a closer look at these facts?

Glyphosate is not just used on GMOs. Conventional (non-organic farmers) use Roundup as a drying agent on crops, such as oats and wheat. It can’t be simply washed off, as it is taken up into the plant itself.

As the active ingredient in popular “Roundup” herbicide, millions of people are using this stuff around their homes, and it’s widely used at parks and other public spaces.

So, that is why it’s not just GMO-filled junk food that is laced with glyphosate. It’s contaminating organic and non-GMO foods, and it’s even in our honey! The FDA quietly found it in almost every single sample of honey that they tested (from mass produced to organic mountain honey). The media has been essentially silent and barely anyone heard this news!

Even if you don’t personally eat the specific brands that were tested (I don’t), how many people are eating Cheerios and Ritz Crackers every day? A lot!

How many of your friends and family have their cabinets filled with these foods? These people need to know this information.

There are still thousands of other brands and whole foods that have not been tested for glyphosate residues, so we can’t be so sure that our own organic, non-GMO, and unprocessed food is safe. Americans are effectively being forced to eat this poison until something is done to stop the rampant use of this chemical. Yes, I said poison.

Monsanto doesn’t want the public to know these findings for obvious reasons. They have our regulatory agencies in their back pocket to make sure they can continue to make a hefty profit while poisoning the masses.

While there are now several manufacturers of glyphosate herbicides, Monsanto completely dominates the market and this is a best seller. They are raking in BILLIONS every year and certainly don’t want that to stop. They are clearly, without a doubt, using their prosperity to influence our government regulators. Why else would those entrusted to protect the public from harmful chemicals turn a blind eye to this?

Our public agencies are allowing corporations to poison Americans for profit.

In 2013, the EPA massively increased the industry standard of what is considered a “safe” level of glyphosate on our food, in order to make enormous amounts seem A-OK. Instead of properly regulating, they effectively raised the “safe” level so that no one can blame the industry for poisoning us with unlawful amounts of chemicals. This is corruption at its finest. The EPA has a long and sordid history of doing whatever Monsanto wants and you have to ask yourself why this continues to happen and how we can make it stop.

The EPA continues to pander to Monsanto, as they keep postponing and dragging their feet to evaluate glyphosate’s link to cancer in humans. The industry is fighting tooth and nail to make sure that the EPA “evaluation” will be in their favor and is trying to control who will be on the panel. Why won’t the EPA do their job to make sure that the world’s most widely used herbicide isn’t causing us all to get cancer? Don’t you think this should be a top priority? It’s time for the EPA to put the public health above the corrupt desires of corporations.

When it comes to the FDA, they are not protecting the American public from glyphosate either. After announcing in February that they would FINALLY begin testing foods for glyphosate residues, they just decided to suspend their testing this week. Could it be that Monsanto didn’t like the results they started getting – especially since the FDA found glyphosate in foods that should be especially safe like BABY FOOD? Monsanto will do whatever it takes to keep that story out of the public eye.

Doesn’t the public deserve to know this information? It should be shouted from the rooftops!

It is shameful that the American media has thus far failed to cover this breaking news, but WE HAVE THE POWER to make this information go viral. If you really want to stop the corruption perpetuated by Monsanto and the large chemical companies – this is how we shut them down!

Remember the best way to avoid glyphosate is by choosing certified organic foods because it is prohibited on organic crops. Although contamination is a real threat, the levels on organic foods are minimal compared to what’s been found on conventional foods. It’s been shown that people who eat organic foods have less glyphosate and other synthetic pesticides in their system.

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts. Also check out my website Evolution Made Easier (and its To Your Health page) and my blog of the same name for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

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I’ve been fortunate enough to take some beekeeping classes recently at the neighborhood community center, and I find that the more I learn about bees and beekeeping, the more fascinated and in awe I am of these winged creatures and the complexity of what’s involved in tending to their needs.

Most of us are familiar with all the health benefits of honey, but that’s just one of the by-products these industrious little creatures create that add to our lives and well-being. Propolis, bee pollen and royal jelly are considered energizing superfoods. and apparently beeswax is no slouch either when it comes to what it can do and the many uses it has…..

(photo: bradleydrake.wordpress.com)

21 Ways To Use Beeswax That May Surprise You

When we think of uses for beeswax, for many of us, items like candles come to mind. But there are all kinds of handy, helpful ways to use beeswax, and this can help you to maintain a lifestyle in which you’re using as many natural, non-toxic products as possible. Beeswax has many household uses, as well as health benefits. Here are a few ways to make the most of beeswax that you may not have thought of.

Moisturizer

You probably know about Burt’s Bees lip balm. Indeed, one of the most common ways to use beeswax is in these kinds of products. The reason many people enjoy it is because it includes beeswax, which helps to moisturize the lips. But it doesn’t have to stop there.

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Itchiness

Some people use beeswax to treat rashes from poison ivy and poison oak, as well as other conditions that cause itchiness. One of the most effective ways to use beeswax for itch treatment is to make a salve.

Pain relief

Beeswax salves can also be used for pain relief. Recipes will be similar to those for itch relief, but there will likely be some variation with particular ingredients. A 2014 study published in the Korean Journal of Internal Medicine shows that beeswax helped relieve pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Rust prevention

You can coat hand tools, cast iron items and other similar products with beeswax to help prevent rust. If you’re a gardener, for example, this can be particularly helpful during winter, when tools aren’t being used regularly.

Waxing thread

If you’re someone who uses thread to make jewelry or hand-sewn items, you know how frustrating threading a needle can be. But one of the ways to use beeswax is to wax your thread. It can come in handy, and it can make sewing and threading a needle easier. Just rub your thread over a block of beeswax.

Nails and screws

If you’re doing any home improvement work, coating your nails and screws with beeswax can be helpful. This will help to prevent splintering of the wood as you’re hammering. It’s a quick, simple fix that will save you some frustration.

Acne

Beeswax is often recommended as a home treatment for acne, and it can be quite effective. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and it contains Vitamin A — all of which makes it an effective acne treatment. And, as discussed above, beeswax makes a good moisturizer, meaning that it is a good choice if you’re looking to improve the health of your skin overall.

Stretch marks

Because it has the ability to protect skin and hold in moisture, beeswax can be an effective treatment for stretch marks. Stretch marks are composed of scars and a thinning of the skin that result from reduced collagen. And since beeswax contains vitamin A, which helps to promote collagen production, it can help to reduce stretch marks.

Combine beeswax with royal jelly, shea or cocoa butter, grapeseed oil and coconut oil for a natural treatment that will help both to diminish and prevent stretch marks. In some individuals, an allergic reaction can actually cause skin symptoms, so be sure you’re not allergic before using more than a very small amount.

Diaper dermatitis

Of course, we want to treat our infants with the healthiest, gentlest, most natural remedies possible. A study by the Dubai Specialized Medical Center and Medical Research Labs Islamic Establishment for Education investigated the effects of a honey, beeswax and olive oil mixture on Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. The study concluded that the mixture could inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause skin conditions like diaper dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema.

Liver health

In 2013, a study published in the Korean Journal of Internal Medicine looked at the alcohols found in honeycomb, and whether their antioxidant effects could help protect the liver. Over the course of 24 weeks, the researchers found that it did, in fact, help normalize liver function in participants with fatty liver disease.

Cholesterol

There’s a lot of talk these days about what really increases “bad” cholesterol, and what we can do to reduce it. Plant waxes contain long-chain fatty acids that can help to reduce lower cholesterol. Indeed, they have been shown to decrease LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by up to 21 percent and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol by eight to 15 percent.

Furniture joints

We’ve all experienced the annoyance of squeaky doors and furniture joints. Beeswax makes a great lubricant — and it’s much healthier than the commercial products available.

Furniture polish

In addition to its usefulness when it comes to furniture joints, beeswax can also be used as a furniture polish. Melt together beeswax and coconut oil. When it cools, use a rag and apply it to the furniture. Then, with a clean cloth, buff it until there is no more reside. Again, this is much healthier than commercial products like Old English.

Baking pans

If you’re trying to watch your fat intake, you can try “greasing” your baking pans and cooking sheets with beeswax. Because beeswax is edible, this is safe to do. If you keep waxing them over time, they’ll eventually build up a permanent coat of beeswax, and you won’t need to use as much grease — you may not even need to grease your pans at all.

Grilling

Who doesn’t love barbecuing? It’s the quintessential summer dining experience — and for those of us who are more intrepid, grilling may continue into the colder months as well. But cleaning a dirty grill can be a nasty mess. Coating the grill with beeswax before using it can make cleanup significantly easier.

Hair styling

Waxes are often used in hair products, but many of these products contain less-than-ideal ingredients that you may not want to use every day. You can make a natural pomade by melting together beeswax, shea butter and jojoba oil. Of course, the effect may not be exactly the same as the products you’d buy in the store, so you might need to play around with the ratios of ingredients to find the effect you’re looking for.

Envelope seal

Think about all the movies and historical dramas where characters send letters to one another sealed with wax. If you’re sending invitations to a wedding or other formal event, creating your own beeswax seal is a fun and classy extra touch.

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Waterproof shoes

To waterproof your shoes, coat them in beeswax. Next, melt the beeswax with a hair dryer and let the shoes rest for about five minutes. Of course, this isn’t something you’ll want to do with your fancy stilettoes or dress shoes. But if you have a pair of sneakers that you slip on when you take the dog out, this can be a helpful trick for those damp days.

Granite countertops

In addition to its effectiveness as a furniture polish, beeswax can also be used to polish granite countertops. It will help to keep them shiny, and may also help prevent staining. Run warmed beeswax into the granite, then wipe it off to get rid of any excess.

Wooden utensils

Just like wooden furniture, wooden spoons, cutting boards, bowls and other utensils need care. Combine beeswax and mineral oil and rub it into the wooden items. Let them rest for several hours, then wipe them off with a clean cloth and put them away.

Canelés

If you’re a baker, you may enjoy making canelés. It’s a French pastry that has a caramelized crust and a custard center, with a bit of a honey flavor. When making them, you create molds with butter and beeswax and freeze them ahead of time. This creates a skin that will prevent the pastries from losing their shape in the oven.

As you can see, there are many helpful ways to use beeswax, and it can be applied to a wide range of purposes. It has health benefits and it can be used to make homemade household products, which will allow you to cut down on the number of toxic, commercial products that you use on a regular basis. And luckily, it is relatively easy to find, and it is readily available online.

However, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects of beeswax. While it is non-toxic, it can have some undesirable health effects (like intestinal blockage) when consumed in large quantities. And, as is the case with many bee products, some people are allergic to beeswax, and this can lead to severe symptoms. If you are allergic to honey or bee pollen, it is advisable to stay away from beeswax as well.

If you have any questions about the use of beeswax for health purposes, or if there is a particular condition you are hoping to treat, it is recommended that you consult with a medical professional. — (by Sarah Cooke)

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow so you don’t miss out on future posts. Also check out the To Your Health page at my website Evolution Made Easierand my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please not that any information provided here is as a guideline only, and not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

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HA! Well, it’s that time of year again in the US (unless you live in AZ), when we gain an extra hour on Sunday, which I love. But it takes my body at least 2 weeks to start acclimating to the new routine, so I’m not a big fan overall of the springing forward/falling back and think the country should just pick one and stick with it. I even featured a post last year about the ill effects going thru springing forward can have on us.

Anyway, as daylight decreases and the time change makes darkness seem to come even earlier, I have a natural urge to almost hibernate or start spinning a cocoon🙂, and for some people it can even trigger mild to severe depression. Aside from seeking anti-depressant pharmaceuticals from a doctor, there are other ways — without side effects — to boost mood and alleviate some SAD symptoms.

Here are some things from Easy Health Options that can help someone deal with or counteract the winter blues:

Light therapy

Light therapy involves exposure to artificial light that mimics the natural outdoor light that is sorely lacking during the winter months.

The devices are called light boxes and are made by a number of manufacturers. They can range in price from around $40 on up. Some light boxes use white light, while others use blue light. There is more research supporting the use of bright white light than blue light to help with SAD symptoms.

If you decide to try light therapy, it’s important to look for a light box designed to filter out most UV light.

The effectiveness of light therapy depends on daily use. You’d want to situate your light box in an area where you can be within two feet of it for at least 30 minutes each day, preferably in the morning. If you have an office job, you could consider keeping it on your desk and using it for the first half hour you work. At home maybe you’d prefer to put in on a coffee table or side table while you read a book.

Get plenty of vitamin D

Did you know scientists believe there is a link between vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, and depression? It makes perfect sense when you consider the amount of natural vitamin D you get from sun changes with the seasons.

An Oregon study showed that young adult women with lower levels of vitamin D had greater incidences of depression over the course of a five-week study. The researchers concluded that some women could simply get more vitamin D and prevent depressive mood states.

The National Institutes of Health‘s recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D is 600 IUs a day. But most alternative health practitioners will tell you that is woefully not enough, and that 4,000 IUs will do you better.

Eat mood-boosting foods

One 2013 study, published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, examined the relationship between diet and mood in 281 young adults. In this study, participants who ate more fruits and vegetables felt calmer, happier and more energetic.

Junk and processed food can have the opposite effect. They stimulate short-term reward centers in the central nervous system. But over time, they can lead to dependency and mood imbalances, along with all-too-common long-term health consequences.

Consider mood-boosting supplements and exercise

Dr. Michael Cutler recommends:

Exercise and yoga. Exercise can work wonders against depressive symptoms. A study at the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, shows that exercise can drag people out of major depression.

And here are a number of free resources for you to consider taking advantage of….

Do you have someone in your life that is suffering with rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, celiac disease, thyroid disease such as Hashimoto’s, dementia or alzheimer’s? Or are you yourself facing a life-debilitating disease?

In just a few days Dr. Tom O’Bryan invites you to begin a deeply personal journey with his free 7-Part documentary series “Betrayal: The Autoimmune Disease Solution They’re Not Telling You About.”

This documentary is important to watch, if you know someone with autoimmune disease, have it yourself, or simply want to be proactive and prevent it.This project leaves Dr. Tom’s hands after 30 years of clinical research, patient care and relationships and it goes out to the world at large to change the face of autoimmunity.

Lloyd Burrell of ElectricSense.com will be interviewing expert Michael Neuert, who is going to talk about EMF shielding solutions, smart meter shielding, low cost shielding, how to shield your home electricity box, and more…..

And with all the tension and stress many people are feeling these days due to busy personal lives, the presidential election, Standing Rock, and multiple other situations, it’s nice to know this resource is available. It’s a short meditation by Mark Romero, whose music has been shown to provide healing benefits, to connect you to your breath and help you de-stress. You can also sign up for a free guided MP3 meditation to reduce stress and improve your state of mind. I really like the music in the background of the MP3 meditation.

Also, be sure to check out the Fat Summit, starting on Nov 7th, that I mentioned in a previous post. You can get all the details and sign up on my What’s New page.

Salud and enjoy that extra hour!

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow so you don’t miss out on future posts. Also check out the To Your Health page at my website Evolution Made Easierand my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please not that any information provided here is as a guideline only, and not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Not only is fall’s signature squash versatile enough to fit into all the above and more, it also packs some powerful healthy perks — like keeping heart health, vision and waistlines in check, as long as you take it easy on the pie, that is.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite health benefits of pumpkin. Let us know what else you love about pumpkins in the comments!

3Pumpkin Seeds Can Help Your Heart: Nuts and seeds, including those of pumpkins, are naturally rich in certain plant-based chemicals called phytosterols that have been shown in studies to reduce LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

4Pumpkins May Reduce Cancer Risk: Like their orange comrades the sweet potato, the carrot and the butternut squash (to name a few), pumpkins boast the antioxidant beta-carotene, which may play a role in cancer prevention, according to the National Cancer Institute. Food sources of beta-carotene seem to help more than a supplement, according to the NIH — even more reason to scoop up some pumpkin today. And the plant sterols in pumpkin seeds have also been linked to fighting off certain cancers.

5Pumpkins Protect The Skin: The same free-radical-neutralizing powers of the carotenoids in pumpkin that may keep cancer cells at bay can also help keep the skin wrinkle-free, Health magazine reported.

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6Pumpkin Seeds Can Boost Your Mood: Pumpkin seeds are rich in the amino acid tryptophan, the famed ingredient in turkey that many think brings on the need for that post-Thanksgiving feast snooze. While experts agree that it’s likely the overeating rather than the tryptophan lulling you to sleep, the amino acid is important in production of serotonin, one of the major players when it comes to our mood, WebMD reports. A handful of roasted pumpkin seeds may help your outlook stay bright.

7Pumpkins Can Help After A Hard Workout: Ever heard of bananas being touted as nature’s energy bar? Turns out, a cup of cooked pumpkin has more of the refueling nutrient potassium, with 564 milligrams to a banana’s 422. A little extra potassium helps restore the body’s balance of electrolytes after a heavy workout and keeps muscles functioning at their best.

p.s. Be sure to give Self-help Health a follow so you don’t miss out on future posts. Also check out the To Your Health page at my website Evolution Made Easierand my other blog for more helpful information, tips, tools and resources.

Disclaimer: Please not that any information provided here is as a guideline only, and not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional before undertaking any change to your normal health routine